Electric sign.



No. 802,201, PATENTED 0GT.17, I905.

J. L. DAWES.

ELECTRIC SIGN.

APPLIUATION FILED DBO, 1, 1904.

WETNIESSEQ IHVENTOR W 9M inrn s'rans PATEN tribe.

ELECTRIC SIGN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 1'7, 1905.

Application filed December 1, 1904. $erial No. 235,018.

To all whom it IN/(LU concern:

Be it known that I, J OHN L. Dawns, of Pittsburg, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Electric Sign, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a front elevation, partly broken away, of my improved sign. Fig. 2 is a vertical centralcross-section, and Fig. 3 is a plan view of the actuating-wheel.

My invention relates to that class of electric signs wherein changing colors are imparted to the sign; and the object of the invention is to cheapen, simplify, and improve the appearance of such signs.

In the drawings 1 show an inclosing boX having a curved front on which the glass sign proper, 2, is held by means of a metal rim 3 or in any other suitable manner. The box is preferably provided with inclined sides and with a longitudinal recess in the back, as shown at 4, which will fit upon the corner of a post or pillar. The lower end 5 of the box is preferably thickened by the additional wooden block or piece 6, and a hole is pro vided through this bottom. in this hole is secured the longitudinal reflector and support 7,

which may consist of bent sheet metal and is secured to the bottom by screws or nails, as shown at 8. This reflector and support is preferably secured in this manner at its lower end and supports the weight of the lamps and the cylinder of different colors. The lamps 9 are carried on bent angles or brackets 10, secured to the support 7 the feed-wires being indicated at 11 and 12. Above the upper lamp is a bracket 13, carrying a bearing 14 for the steel pin 15, forming the supporting-bearing for the fan-wheel 16. The bearing 14 is preferabl y of agate or glass, the pointed or rounded end of the steel pin resting thereon with very little friction. The fan or turbine Wheel 16 has a sheet-metal rim 17, to which are secured the curved strips of celluloid 18, which are of ditferent colors. These curved strips are held in position at their lower ends by the metal band 19, secured to them, preferably on their inner surface. The overlapping longitudinal edges of these strips are preferably sewed together, as shown at 20, and the entire cylinder and wheel hung loosely on the supporting steel-pin bearing.

The top board 21 of the box is provided with a hole of suliicicnt size for the insertion of the cylinder and for reaching the upper lamp. This hole is preferably covered by a coneshaped sheet-metal protector 22, supported upon legs 23, which may be secured to the top of the sign-box and arranged to swing side wise on one of the securing-pins. A similar cover or protector 24 is employed for the hole in the lower end. These protectors allow a current of air to flow up through the cylinder which, being heated by the lamps, will cause a slow turning of the cylinder. This cylinder is preferably of such diameter and provided with strips of such a width that during the turning at least three colors will appear at one time on the glass sign.

The advantages of my invention result from the simplicity and cheapness of the construction and also from its not being liable to get out of order. The celluloid is non-absorbent and will not deteriorate under dampness or atmospheric influenpes.

Uolored glass may be used instead of the celluloid. though I prefer the latter on account of its smaller weight.

1 claim 1. In an electric sign having an inclosure with top and bottom holes and providedv with a front plate of glass or similar material to receive a sign-pattern, an internal rotary cylinder having a fan-wheel at its upper end, and a lamp within the cylinder intermediate the ends thereof, said cylinder and lamp being in alinement with the top and bottom holes; sub stantially as described.

2. In an electric sign a rotary cylinder composed of aseries of longitudinal strips of translucent colored material, a fan-wheel forming the upper end of the cylinder, a stiffeningring at the lower end of the cylinder to which the ends of the strips are secured, and a lamp within the cylinder; substantially as described.

3. In an electric sign, a rotary cylimlercomposed of longitudinal curved strips of translucent colored material, a fan-wheel forming the upper end of the cylinder, and a stiffeningring at the lower end of the cylinder and arranged to hold the ends of the strips in position, the longitudinal meeting edges of the strips being secured together; substantially as described.

t. In an electric sign, an inclosure having a hole in its bottom, a concave longitudinal sup port secured within the inclosure, lamps carried within the support, and a fan-wheel with colored translucent surfaces, also carried on said support; substantially as described.

5. An electric sign having an inclosure With registering holes in its top and bottom, and a front plate of glass or similar material With the sign-pattern applied thereto, an internal rotary cylinder of colored material having a fan-Wheel, said holes and cylinder being in axial alinement, and a lamp Within the cylinder and above the bottom hole; substantially as described.

6. An electric sign having an inclosure, a front plate of glass or similar material having the sign-pattern applied thereto, a rotary cylinder having strips of translucent colored material Within the inclosure having a fan-Wheel, and a lamp Within the cylinder, the cylinder being of small diameter relative to the front In testimony whereof I have hereunto set 3 my hand.

JOHN L. DAWVES.

Witnesses:

JOHN MILLER, H. M. CORWIN. 

